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Sample of Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC)
material. RCC is a graphite reinforced carbon composite matrix coated
with a silicone carbide conversion with sodium silicate sealant and
can withstand temperatures up to 3600 degrees F. CAIB Photo by Rick
Stiles 2003 View |
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Sample of an actual Reinforced Carbon Carbon
(RCC) T-seal cross-section shows the rounded “locking” side
and flat “sliding” side of the seal. CAIB Photo by Rick
Stiles 2003 View |
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Scott Hubbard, CAIB board member, inspects
damaged RCC panel #8 following test. CAIB Photo by Rick Stiles 2003 View |
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Scott Hubbard, CAIB board member, inspects
damaged RCC panel #8 following test.
CAIB Photo by Rick Stiles 2003 View |
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Air Gun at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)
in San Antonio, TX used for shuttle External Tank foam insulation
impact tests. The large blue tank on the left is pressurized with
nitrogen which when released fires a foam projectile through the
long brown horizontal barrel. In this test, the barrel is aimed for
an impact point on reinforced carbon carbon (RCC) panel #8 on the
left wing test article. CAIB Photo by Rick Stiles 2003 View |
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Left wing test article prior to foam impact
test. Panels 5, 6, and 7 and T-Seals 5/6 and 6/7 (from left) are made
of fiberglass. The target panel #8 and outboard panels (continuing
to the right) are actual flight Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC) material
including T-Seals 8/9, 9/10, and 10/11. The black ‘skid’
marks on fiberglass panel 6 are from earlier foam impact tests in
the series used to gather data in preparation for actual RCC impact
tests. CAIB Photo by Rick Stiles 2003 View
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Wing leading edge test article after impact
test clearly shows an approximate 16 inch hole in RCC panel 8. This
is the ‘after’ photo from the image above. CAIB Photo
by Rick Stiles 2003 View |
